Peonies are hardy, long-lasting plants that can bloom for decades or even a lifetime. To help them thrive, I dig the soil up to a depth of 18 inches whenever possible. Then, I enrich the soil with compost and peat moss, blending it thoroughly with the native soil for a nutrient-rich base.
Positioning the peony’s pink buds is essential. These buds, visible during dormancy, should face upward. Sometimes, this positioning requires angling the roots slightly to keep the buds pointing to the surface. I then cover these buds with just half an inch of soil. This shallow covering ensures that the buds receive as much cold as possible, even in mild winters, which helps stimulate their blooms.
Some gardeners enhance this chilling effect by placing ice cubes or bags of ice on the plants a few times during winter. While I’ve never used this method before, I’m considering it this year. I plan to place ice on half of a new peony planting to test whether it improves first-year bloom rates. In my experience, around two-thirds of new peonies bloom in their first year, but I’m curious if the extra cold will encourage more.
In the photo at the top of this article, you can see two beautiful varieties in bloom. The double pink variety, Princess Margaret, and the single-flower variety, Doreen, each showcase the vibrant elegance that makes peonies so beloved. These blooms, with their rich colors and textures, reflect the dedication that goes into preparing the soil and providing the right growing conditions. With proper care, peonies become a garden staple, rewarding us with stunning blooms year after year.
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